Oral Answers to Questions

David Morris Excerpts

Wednesday 18th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Lynne Featherstone]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question and I can assure her that I do take every opportunity to raise the issue, because these social norms, which oppress and suppress women and have been going for 4,000 years, are really because of women’s low status in the world in terms of rights and of voice, choice and control over their own lives.

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

7. What effect the formation of the new Government in Nepal will have on her Department’s programmes in that country.

[The Secretary of State for International Development (Justine Greening)]

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for International Development visited Nepal in February, where he met with Mr Sushil Koirala, now the Nepalese Prime Minister, and assured him of the UK’s ongoing commitment to development. We will continue to support the new Government to improve the lives of the poorest people in Nepal.

[David Morris]

Will my right hon. Friend please provide an update on her good works in Nepal so far?

[Justine Greening]

It is clear that a new constitution is an essential step in ensuring political stability. The UK provided support to Nepal’s elections last year, and we stand ready to provide continued support to the constitution-drafting process. We are also encouraging the Nepalese Government and political parties to hold local elections, and that sits alongside the work we are doing on livelihoods and education and basic service provision.